What's the significance of a fundal height measurement?

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Fundal height is generally defined as the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus measured in centimeters. After the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, your fundal height measurement often matches the number of weeks you've been pregnant. For example, if you're 27 weeks pregnant, your health care provider would expect your fundal height to be about 27 centimeters.

It isn't unusual, however, for your fundal height to measure somewhat smaller or larger than expected. This might happen if you:

Have a high body mass index

Have a full bladder

Are carrying twins or other multiples

In other cases, fundal height that measures smaller or larger than expected — or increases more or less quickly than expected — could indicate conditions such as:

Slow fetal growth (intrauterine growth restriction)

Rapid fetal growth

Too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)

Too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)

Uterine fibroids

A baby prematurely descending into the pelvis or settling into a breech or other unusual position

Depending on the circumstances, your health care provider might recommend an ultrasound or other tests to determine what's causing the unusual measurements.

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